Molecular therapy for Regenerating the lost pancreatic β-cells in Diabetic patients: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a phospholipid derivative that functions as a signalling molecule, increases the expression of IGF1R, INSR, and IRS2, and promotes an insulin-sensitized state via up-regulation of its target gene, 8/April/2017, 10.50 pm

A study from the Stem Cell Transplantation Program, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA shows that “The Lin28/let-7 axis regulates glucose metabolism.” This study was published in the 30 September 2011issue of the Journal“Cell” [One of the best journals in Biological sciences with an I.F of 28.71] by Prof and Dean of the Harvard Medical School George Q, Zhu H, and others.

What we say:

On the foundation of this interesting finding,Dr L Boominathan PhD, Director-cum-chief Scientist of GBMD, reports that: Molecular therapy for Regenerating the lost pancreatic β-cells in Diabetic patients: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a phospholipid derivative that functions as a signalling molecule, increases the expression of IGF1R, INSR, and IRS2, and promotes an insulin-sensitized state via up-regulation of its target gene[easy_payment currency=”USD”]

From significance of the study to Public health relevance:

Given that: (1) more than 387 million people worldwide are affected by Diabetes mellitus (DM); (2) Diabetes is going to be one of the top 10 causes of death by 2030; (3) the life-long painful injection/drug treatment is required to treat DM; (3) the global economic cost spent for diabetes treatment in 2014 was little more than 600 billion US dollars, there is an urgent need to find: (i) a way to induce regeneration of adult ß-cells and cardiomyocytes that were lost in DM (Diabetes Mellitus) and MI (Myocardial infarction), respectively; (ii) a cheaper alternative to the existing expensive weight-loss drugs; (iii) a side-effect-free natural product-based drug; and (iv) a way to cure, not just treat, diabetes.

What is known?

Prof. George Q and his research team members had shown earlier that loss of Lin28 in muscles promotes insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.

From Research findings to Therapeutic opportunity:

This study suggests, for the first time, that Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), by regulating the expression of its target genes, it may (1) increase the expression of IGF1R, INSR, and IRS2; (2) enhance tissue repair; (3) promote regeneration of pancreatic β-cells; (3) augment regenerative capacity; (4) promote insulin sensitivity; and (5) protect against cardiac ageing and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (Fig.1).

Figure 1. Mechanistic insights into how Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) functions as an anti-diabetic and a cardioprotective agent. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) may promote insulin sensitivity and protect against myocardial infarction via up regulation of reprogramming protein Lin-28

Thus,pharmacological formulationsencompassing“Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) or its analogues either alone or in combination with other drugs” may be used to treat DM and DCM.